Internet. The Last Frontier?

There’s a new term circling the airwaves you might have heard of. A term unlimited by race, height, gender, language, nationality, sexuality or religion; it’s called Digital Natives. In short, it means: anybody that’s grown up with the Internet (which basically means not me!).

Digital Natives, citizens of the last Bohemia?

There is an awesome author named William Gibson (Nueromancer, Johnny Mnemonic) who’s called “the father of Cyberpunk.” Gibson, besides being an accomplished novelist, writes, lectures and speaks often about the Internet age. Especially the use of the web for educational purposes. Ironically, he’s adamant about not being a web user himself.

Gibson has a book called All Tomorrow’s Parties (1999) that has a great passage I think really illuminates some interesting points about how the Internet has evolved:

“Bohemias. Alternative subcultures. They were a crucial aspect of industrial civilization in the previous two centuries. They were where the industrial civilization went to dream. A sort of unconscious R&D, exploring alternate societal strategies. Each one would have a dress code, characteristic forms of artistic expression, a substance or substances of choice, and a set of sexual values at odds with those of the culture at large. And they did, frequently, have locales with which they became associated. But they became extinct”
…
“We started picking them before they could ripen. A certain crucial growing period was lost, as marketing evolved and the mechanisms of re-commodification became quicker, more rapacious. Authentic subcultures required backwaters, and time, and there are no more backwaters.”

You can’t help but pick out some fascinating similarities between the evolution of “counter cultures” and the Internet’s rapid progression:

The unconscious R & D of social nuance

The emergence of consumer choices

Contemporary values being brought into question

Monetization

It incites some very interesting questions: has the Internet become too robust an economic channel too quickly? Has the “wild west” speculative atmosphere been beneficial, or a hindrance?

Is it too early to know?

Only time will tell (like most things right?). But like all “counter culture” movements, the speed and volume of transformation can spell benefit or disruption with equal vigor.

Yes, things often rise quickly and flame out just as fast. But more than just the ash of failed ideas is left behind. There are always new lessons, efficiencies, models, conversations and connections. Blueprints for a better idea, a better connection, a better future.

“The only way to predict the future, is to have power to shape the future.”
–Eric Hoffer

Jay Kubassek is a serial digital entrepreneur and co-founder of Digital Experts Academy. He is also a professional speaker and trainer, Baja off-road racer (Dust Racing), member of the New York Blue Elephant Polo team, self-taught cellist, amateur photographer, amateur chef and indie film producer (Aliquot Films).

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Krystyna Chlipalski

I have hundred and one reasons not to like the Internet, one being, that it is unbearably ‘intrusive’- I now have Orwell’s : ‘Big Brother is watching you’ syndrome! William Gibson, the father of CyberBUNK? Hmmm! Speaking about the Internet age but not being a web user himself? I’m going to avail myself of his book: ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ for this very reason – Bohemia? … what a novel comparison …
I’m a newcomer to the Internet – I fought against it ‘nail & tooth’ (?) –
not to use it; to-day, I am happy and proud to say that I would not be able to live without it – ‘If things … flame up’ … a new Phoenix will rise from the ashes …
My only worry is … are we going to look like zombies? (smile, Jay.)
Krystyna.